On July 18, Florida State Rep. Joe Casello of Boynton Beach died following a massive heart attack. The 73-year-old, who represented parts of Palm Beach County, was a firefighter for 33 years before venturing into politics. He also served as a non-commissioned officer in the Air Force.
"We are so sorry to say that Representative Joe Casello has passed away, surrounded by his loving family and girlfriend, following a heart attack. He was 73," the Florida House Democrats wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time."
Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, said Casello "will be deeply missed." DeSantis did not acknowledge his death except to announce the dates for the special election to fill Casello's seat.
Six days after Casello's death, on July 24, Hogan, whose legal name is Terry Bollea, died in Clearwater, following a cardiac arrest. DeSantis quickly commemorated the wrestling icon and Florida resident at his press conference that afternoon.
"Before I get into the gist of today's information, just as a Floridian, as somebody that grew up in west central Florida, I was sad to see the news that Hulk Hogan passed away," DeSantis said to open his press conference. "He was a major icon for anybody in Gen X."
He went further, remembering Hogan by issuing a memorandum to Pinellas County officials to fly state and U.S. flags at half-staff on Friday, August 1, in the late wrestler's honor. He also declared Friday "Hulk Hogan Day" in Florida.
Under the governor's flag protocol, DeSantis can lower the state flag to half-staff on "appropriate occasions, such as on holidays and upon the death of high-ranking state officials, uniformed law enforcement and fire service personnel, and prominent citizens."
Every member of the Florida legislature should be speaking up at the lack of recognition for Rep. Joe Casello’s passing," one user wrote on X. "But they’re lowering the flag for HULK HOGAN. Casello was an Air Force Vet for Gods sake."
DeSantis hasn't hesitated to issue half-staff flags for lawmakers and even controversial radio personalities over the years. The governor ordered the flags for Democratic Senator Geraldine Thompson, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart, and former Gov. Buddy MacKay. Back in 2021, he had the flags lowered to honor conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who had a history of making racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks.Every member of the Florida legislature should be speaking up at the lack of recognition for Rep. Joe Casello’s passing but they’re lowering the flag for HULK HOGAN. Casello was an Air Force Vet for Gods sake. https://t.co/b2yBGfkdhF
— SuzanneCitere🐝🇫🇷🇮🇹 (@SuzanneCitere) August 1, 2025
"@GovRonDeSantis is lowering Florida's flags to half-staff for Rush Limbaugh," Fried tweeted. "But he had no words for Congressman John Lewis. Priorities."
